Cape Town - The police have launched a manhunt for two suspects following a robbery at a Cash Crusaders store in Strand Street on Wednesday.
"Cape Town police are investigating circumstances surrounding a business robbery at a second hand goods store on the corner of Strand and Loop Streets at 11.47am," police spokesperson Noloyiso Rwexana said.
"According to available information, two suspects entered the premises, threatened employees with a firearm and a knife and ordered them to go to the back of the store. The suspects fled the scene with a cellphone. No injuries were reported. The investigation continues."
The ordeal locked down the CBD for more than an hour as scores of police, tactical response and fire department vehicles converged on the scene.
Initially, it was believed to have been a hostage drama, but the police have since confirmed it was a robbery.
#CashCrusaders drama unfolding in Strand Street, Cape Town rn. Video: Supplied pic.twitter.com/XDQ1eZVkek
— Cape Argus (@TheCapeArgus) July 5, 2017
There's a large crowd gathering outside the #CashCrusaders hostage situation pic.twitter.com/o2daYiIyT2
— Cape Argus (@TheCapeArgus) July 5, 2017
Earlier reports seemed to suggest a suspect was arrested.
WATCH: Police apprehend one of the suspects in the Cash Crusaders robbery in Strand Street, Cape Town. @IOL @TheCapeArgus pic.twitter.com/MoZmatAva4
— Cape Times (@CapeTimesSA) July 5, 2017
However, the police confirmed that no arrests had yet been made.
Cops confirm 0 casualties, 0 arrests after apparent CTown #CBDRobbery turned hostage drama. Special Task Force found robbers already gone.
— Chantall Presence (@ChazPrez) July 5, 2017
By 3pm on Wednesday, everything appeared to have returned to normal on Strand Street.
Scene in Strand Sreet seems almost back to normal. Still closed off for vehicles but access opened to pedestrians. #CBDRobbery pic.twitter.com/PNzy7OlFBg
— Cape Times (@CapeTimesSA) July 5, 2017
Cape Argus